Category Archive: Meet The Team

With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, it is clear that Director of Sales and Marketing Lara LeGrand has found her calling. Out of all the places her career has taken her throughout the years, though, she cites Hotel Julien Dubuque as her very favorite. Read on to find out why…

How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque? “I started at Hotel Julien Dubuque in late January 2013.”What path brought you to Hotel Julien Dubuque? “My career in hospitality began in Galena, IL in 1995. I held various positions, but concentrated mostly in the sales arena. I consider Hotel Julien Dubuque to be the premier hotel in the region and was very excited when a position opened that worked within my skill-set. I came on board as the Catering Manager in January 2013 and was given the opportunity to become the Director of Sales and Marketing in July of 2013.”What are you most passionate about professionally? “Most definitely the people we get to impact every single day! It is such a source of pride that I get to be part of such a beautiful hotel, along with Potosa Spa, Caroline’s Restaurant and Riverboat Lounge. People will forever be making lifelong memories here!”What are you passionate about personally? What is your favorite way to spend a free weekend? “Far and above anything else in my life, I am most passionate about my family. I enjoy spending time with my husband, two children, and son-in-law. Additionally, I am lucky enough to have a tight group of friends that have really come to be extended family. My parents and brother live in Dubuque which makes staying close to them very easy and my sister and her family travel back to visit with us as often as possible.”What are some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area? “There are lots of things. Here are my top five in no particular order: Eagle Point Park, Farmer’s Market, Fourth of July Fireworks (3rd of July actually), breakfast at Caroline’s Restaurant, and boat rides on the Mississippi with family and friends!”What do you love most about Hotel Julien Dubuque? “I think what I truly love the most is the impact that the restoration made on downtown Dubuque. Hotel Julien has long been a staple of the city, but has seen its share of ‘dire’ times. I believe that the hotel has led to the resurgance of downtown and continues to set the bar high for new restaurants, spas, and area attractions. It makes me proud to be associated with a highly regarded business.”What is your personal motto? “I am very into quotes, so I will offer two. Professionally my belief can be summed up with the following quote, ‘True leaders do not create followers, they create more leaders’. The second would be my personal life’s motto: ‘Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can’t change.’ I wrote that down when I was first married and stumbled across it again on Pinterest twenty years later. It’s the perfect life motto (in my opinion).”
As a leader, what strategies do you implement to keep your team motivated and energized? “Enthusiasm is infectious – it is my hope that my enthusiasm for what I do is so apparent that it proves to be motivating to my team. I certainly make every effort to touch base with each member of the sales team every day and make myself available to them whenever they need my assistance. Fundamentally, I believe that positive reinforcement is the ONLY way to motivate people – so I try to stay positive in all of my interactions with not only my team, but all of the HJD associates and managers.”

A veteran Esthetician, Diane Raisbeck has been with Potosa Spa since 2012. Diane is from Hazel Green, Wisconsin and graduated from Capri College. Read on as she shares unique beauty and wellness tips that can be incorporated into your daily routine.
Joined the team: In August of 2011Hometown: Hazel Green, WisconsinBackground/Schooling: “I graduated from Lancaster High School and went on to earn my certification in Esthetics from Capri College.”Name one step of your beauty routine that you could never skip: “Moisturizing my skin in the morning and at night.”What is your favorite spa treatment? “Facials, of course!”What is your favorite beauty product? “Milk and Honey Body Scrub and Butter.”What wellness and/or relaxation strategies do you implement in your day-to-day life? “In the morning, I wake up and drink an 8 0z. glass of water and do 20 minutes of yoga.”What is your favorite beauty tip/trick? “I apply two shades of lipstick to get the color I want.”What do you love most about your job? “I love giving clients the best facial suited to their skin type and then educating them on at-home tips that they can incorporate into their daily routine.”Is there anything else that you would like to share? “Skin is the body’s biggest organ. No matter what age you are, be sure to give your skin the attention that it deserves.”

Learn more about Potosa Spa by visiting www.potosaspa.com or call 563.588.5570 to schedule your next appointment.

If you ever have a question about Hotel Julien Dubuque (or most anything else, for that matter!), Annette Jones will know the answer. Having worked for the Fischer Companies for the past 19 years, Annette’s experiences with Hotel Julien Dubuque extend well beyond the remodel that was completed in 2009 and she is a great person to chat with about the history of the property.

Learn more about Annette in her feature below. We are so lucky that she is part of our team!

How long have you been with Fischer Companies? “19 years.”Please share a little bit about your professional background and what led you to the industry. “Went to school for Accounting and worked in that field for a while. I then went to Capri and got my cosmetology license and managed several salons here in Dubuque. After the salon I was at closed I went back into Accounting and have been here ever since.”What are you most passionate about professionally? “Learning new things everyday.”What are you passionate about personally? What is your favorite way to spend a free weekend? “Love traveling to tropical places. What’s a free weekend?”What are some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area? “Spending time with family and friends – doesn’t really matter what you are doing.”What do you love most about your job? “My boss (and the other people too) ;-)”What is your personal motto? “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”When asked to describe yourself, what do you say? “I love to make people laugh.”

The next time that you visit the Riverboat Lounge, be sure to say “hi” to Brian Neis. As you will read in his “Meet the Team” feature below, Brian is passionate about his position as Hotel Julien Dubuque’s Beverage Manager and the significant role that Food and Beverage establishments play in the creation of some of life’s fondest memories. Read on to learn about the path that led Brian to Hotel Julien Dubuque, his affinity for classic literature, and his favorite craft cocktail and wine selections on the Riverboat Lounge menu!

How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque? “5.5 years.”What path brought you to this industry? “I started in the Food and Beverage industry when I was 14 years old. I did everything from wash dishes, buss tables, mop floors, assist the cooks, and eventually assist the bartenders. When I decided to attend college, I also decided to bartend part-time to support myself. I graduated college, but instead of pursuing my field of study, I stayed in the Food and Beverage industry and began managing the bar where I was originally bartending. When Caroline’s Restaurant was in need of a supervisor, I applied and have been here ever since. I have been Hotel Julien Dubuque’s Beverage Manager for the past 2.5 years.”What are you most passionate about professionally? “Many of our fondest memories are associated with dining or visiting a drinking establishment. Wedding proposals, catching up with someone you have not seen for a while, celebrating a job promotion – all often take place in this environment. It is hard to ignore the intense gratification I feel when I am in a room full of people sharing special moments. The laughter, smiles, hugs, and positive energy are infectious. How can you not love that?”What is your favorite way to spend your free time? “Spending time with family and friends is always a priority. During the winter months, I love to read classic world literature like Homer, Cervantes, Dostoyevsky, etc., but in the warmer months, I want to be boating on the Mississippi, riding my Harley, and taking 10 mile walks.”What are some of your favorite aspects of the “New Experience” in the Riverboat Lounge? “I love it when someone tells me they approve of our new approach. Having more access to the River Terrace makes a monumental difference and live music 5 nights per week is very fun.”What is your favorite craft cocktail on the new summer menu? Favorite wine featured in the winestation? “Peach Sangria. Chateau Graysac Bordeaux.”Do you have a personal motto? “Never slam closed any door that you may someday want to walk through.”
When asked to share a unique fact about yourself, what do you say? “I acted in Hollywood, California. I was a mummy on stage at Universal Studios for about 5 minutes.”

When asked to describe his typical workday, Executive Housekeeping Manager Joe Polich responded by stating that, in the hospitality industry, a ‘typical day’ does not really exist. While there are certain tasks for which he is responsible on a day-to-day basis, Joe asserts that the dynamic nature of the hospitality industry is one of the things that he enjoys most about his career. Joe joined the team at Hotel Julien Dubuque over five years ago and has since gained experience working in a variety of different capacities.
Here’s a little peek into Joe’s world…
How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque? “5 years.”What path brought you to this industry? “I was a student at Loras College and was looking for a part-time job. I applied for a position in Housekeeping because I had previously helped with cleaning rooms in my parents’ Bed & Breakfast. I soon transferred into working at the front desk, but left after a year to move to Madison, Wisconsin. After a short stint working in Madison for two years, I came back to Hotel Julien Dubuque to work at the front desk again and eventually became a supervisor. I didn’t know that hospitality would turn into my career, but when the Housekeeping Manager position opened up, I felt it was a good step for me. I am intrigued by where this type of career is going to take me.”What are you most passionate about professionally? “I’m passionate about providing a good experience for every guest that walks through our doors and giving my all to make sure that happens. I’ll do whatever is needed of me to make sure Hotel Julien Dubuque leaves a positive impression on people.”What is your favorite way to spend a free weekend? “What’s a free weekend??? (sorry, hospitality joke!) Usually when I have free days, I like to spend them running, playing basketball, golfing, eating some good food and, every once in a while, just relaxing at home with a good video game.”Please share some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area. “A great thing about Dubuque, to me, is the downtown area. I love going out to eat at all the restaurants. I’ve always enjoyed walking around the Port of Dubuque, especially in the summer time. Nothing, in my mind, can beat walking across the 3rd Street overpass back towards Dubuque when the downtown area is busy.”What do you enjoy most about Hotel Julien Dubuque? “I love getting to know all of the associates. I think the people at Hotel Julien Dubuque have impacted my life greatly, be it past employees or current ones. I’ve made some lifelong friends because of where I work.”Do you have a personal motto? “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”How would you describe your typical workday? “My day starts off by making the Housekeeping boards for the day and assigning rooms to housekeepers. I usually will wait for everyone to come in and then give some small direction for the day if necessary. I spend time ordering supplies, inspecting rooms, trying to problem solve, etc. The one thing you learn quickly about working in the hospitality industry is that a ‘typical day’ doesn’t really exist. You have an idea of what a day might be like, but you truly wake up each day knowing anything can happen.”
When asked to share a unique fact about yourself, what do you say? “When I was two years old, my family moved to Italy for four years.”Is there anything else that you would like to add? “Go Hawks!!”

Kimberly Ohnesorge has been a member of the Potosa Spa team since April 2014. While Kimberly was born in Dubuque, the majority of her experience in the industry is from time spent in Las Vegas, Nevada where she owned and operated a skincare business. In her Meet the Team feature, Kimberly shares expert skincare tips as well as general wellness strategies for an all-around healthy lifestyle.
Joined the team: In April of 2014Hometown: Dubuque, IowaBackground/Schooling: “The majority of my schooling took place in Las Vegas, Nevada.”Name one step of your beauty routine that you could never skip: “Taking off makeup at night. So many people still like to skip this!”What is your favorite spa treatment? “The Fountain of Youth Facial. It is a very advanced facial!”What is your favorite beauty product? “Solar Defense SPF 30 and anti-wrinkle cream by Hydropeptide.”What wellness and/or relaxation strategies do you implement in your day-to-day life? “Always maintain a positive mindset and do not be around negative energy.”What is your favorite beauty tip/trick? “Eyebrow waxing is so important to your overall look – eyebrows shape your face!”What do you love most about your job? “I love educating my clients on skincare.”Is there anything else that you would like to share? “I have worked in all areas of aesthetics from working with dermatologists to plastic surgeons to wellness spas.”

Learn more about Potosa Spa by visiting www.potosaspa.com or call 563.588.5570 to schedule your next appointment.

A veteran Esthetician, Stephanie Gilligan has been with Potosa Spa since August of 2011. Stephanie is a Dubuque native and graduate of Capri College. Read on as this skincare guru shares expert tips that can be incorporated into your daily regiment to help you achieve a luminous, flawless glow.
Joined the team: In August of 2011Hometown: Dubuque, IowaBackground/Schooling: “I Graduated from Capri College.”Name one step of your beauty routine that you could never skip: “I could never skip cleansing and toning.”What is your favorite spa treatment? “My favorite spa treatment would have to be the Lifting Code Facial or the Primeluce Facial.”What is your favorite beauty product? “I would have to say Bioline. There are many different lines in the Bioline product group that work for sensitive skin all the way to acne-prone skin types.”What wellness and/or relaxation strategies do you implement in your day-to-day life? “Get plenty of rest and develop a day-to-day skin regiment. Keep up with it and you will see results — it will pay off in the long run with great skin!”What is your favorite beauty tip/trick? “High Frequency Treatment. From one pimple to very acne-prone skin, this treatment will kill bacteria and leave you with clear skin in only 2-3 days.”What do you love most about your job? “My clients and working with all of the lovely ladies of Potosa Spa!”Is there anything else that you would like to share? “I love what I do. I get to experience something new every day. I have met so many people from all over and cannot wait to see what the future brings.”

Learn more about Potosa Spa by visiting www.potosaspa.com or call 563.588.5570 to schedule your next appointment.

Sarah Blindert has been a member of the Potosa Spa team since 2013. Not only does Sarah work as an Esthetician, but she is also a lead Licensed Massage Therapist specializing in Deep Tissue, Prenatal, Swedish, Thai, and Lymphatic Drainage Massage. A native resident of Dubuque, Sarah earned both licenses from Capri College. In her Meet the Team feature, Sarah shares key wellness strategies that she has learned throughout her training as well as personal beauty tips that she implements in her daily routine.
Joined the team: In 2013Hometown: Dubuque, IowaBackground/Schooling: “I Graduated from Capri College with licenses in both Massage Therapy and Esthetics.”Name one step of your beauty routine that you could never skip: “Using a facial cleanser at the end of my day to remove everything from the skin’s surface in order to get a nice glow.”What is your favorite spa treatment? “The Herbal Detox Wrap and Massage. It is a great way to feel refreshed!”What is your favorite beauty product? “Eye shadow because you can be expressive and make your eyes pop.”What wellness and/or relaxation strategies do you implement in your day-to-day life? I strongly believe that what you put into your body or do to your body will affect how you look and feel. I incorporate healthy eating and physical activities into my daily routine to always be the best that I can be.”What is your favorite beauty tip/trick? “Stretching and drinking plenty of water can really do a lot for you.”What do you love most about your job? “I love helping clients feel and look their best along with hearing repeat clients’ testimonials!”Is there anything else that you would like to share? “I enjoy spending any free time that I get with my family and exploring the great outdoors!”

Learn more about Potosa Spa by visiting www.potosaspa.com or call 563.588.5570 to schedule your next appointment.

Becky Bowling joined the Potosa Spa team in 2014
as a Licensed Massage Therapist after graduating
from Capri College in Dubuque. A passionate yogi and essential oil enthusiast, Becky shares her favorite health and wellness strategies for a well-rounded
daily routine.

Joined the team: In 2014Hometown: Kalamazoo, MichiganBackground/Schooling: “I Graduated from Capri College in Dubuque, Iowa.”What is your favorite spa treatment? “Milk and Honey Shea Butter Massage.”What is your favorite beauty product? “Body Butter. I believe it works better for dry skin than lotion.”What wellness and/or relaxation strategies do you implement in your day-to-day life? “I do a lot of yoga and exercise frequently. I enjoy using all sorts of essential oils to help me relax in addition to meditating.”What is your favorite beauty tip/trick? “Always take care of yourself.”What do you love most about your job? “I love helping people feel better and relax.”Is there anything else that you would like to share? “Going to massage therapy school was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I am so blessed to be able to help others in my career. Massage has shown me that feeling good is essential and more important than looking good. I hope everyone knows that they are beautiful! You are all awesome!”

Learn more about Potosa Spa by visiting www.potosaspa.com or call 563.588.5570 to schedule your next appointment.

Kristi Jameson has worked as a Licensed Massage Therapist at Potosa Spa since 2014. A native resident of Dubuque and proud member of the “Potosa Spa family”, Kristi shares about the most rewarding aspects of her position as well as key wellness practices that she incorporates into her daily routine.

Joined the team: In 2014Background/Schooling: Graduated from Carlson College in 2010Name one step of your beauty routine that you could never skip: “Moisturizing.”What is your favorite spa treatment? “Any and all massage treatments offered in the spa.”What is your favorite beauty product? “HydroPeptide Perfecting Gloss. My favorite spa product is Serenity Room Spray.”What wellness and/or relaxation strategies do you implement in your day-to-day life? “Clean Eating, high water intake, and stretching/breathing exercises.”What cosmetic advice do you share most frequently? “Use a tinted primer before applying makeup for a more natural, stay-put look that reduces the need for cover-up products.”What do you love most about your job? “The atmosphere of the spa and the quality of the service that we provide to our customers.”Is there anything else that you would like to share? “It’s a great feeling working a career you love with others who love what they do as well. We are more like a family here at Potosa Spa than simply co-workers.”

Learn more about Potosa Spa by visiting www.potosaspa.com or call 563.588.5570 to schedule your next appointment.